Smart Design for Small Spaces: 5 Tips That Make a Big Impact
Whether you’re living in a city apartment or downsizing during a relocation, designing for smaller spaces doesn’t have to mean compromising on style or comfort. In fact, it can be an opportunity to get creative, rethink how you use your space, and make it work even harder for your lifestyle. Here are five of my favorite small-space design strategies that deliver high impact.
1. Use diagonal lines to draw the eye
One of the simplest tricks to make a space feel larger is to break the grid of horizontal lines. Whether it’s installing flooring at a diagonal, laying tile in a chevron or herringbone pattern, or even angling your furniture slightly, diagonal lines pull the eye outward and create a sense of flow and movement. It’s a subtle shift, but one that can visually expand a room and soften boxy layouts.
2. Don’t fear color – drench it
While it might feel counterintuitive, dark colors and saturated tones can actually make small spaces feel more expansive. When walls, trim, and even ceilings are all the same tone (a trick called color drenching), the edges of the room blur, and boundaries disappear. A deep green, moody blue, or warm charcoal can create a cozy, cocoon-like effect — and serve as a beautiful backdrop for art, mirrors, or soft lighting. If you’re not ready to commit to painting every wall, try color drenching in a hallway or powder room for a high-impact, low-risk effect.
3. Scale Up, not down
The biggest mistake I see in small homes is going too small with furniture and accessories. Tiny furniture can actually make a space feel smaller, like everything is cramped and floating. Instead, choose a generously sized rug, full-length curtains hung high and wide, a large piece of art, or an oversized light fixture. These elements create presence and anchor the room, giving it a sense of purpose and proportion.
4. Work the Reflective Magic
If your room is short on natural light or feels a bit closed in, reflective surfaces are your secret weapon. Try placing a large mirror across from a window to double the sense of light and space. Metallic or glass accents in lighting or furniture, as well as glossy paint finishes (on walls or cabinetry), help to bounce light around and add dimension. These subtle shifts bring movement and brightness to the space, and add a bit of polish while you’re at it.
5. Make it personal, not cluttered
Small spaces should still feel personal, just more edited. Use a few well-loved pieces that tell your story: a vintage lamp, a stack of books, a woven basket from a trip abroad. These details make the space feel grounded and unique – and they’re often conversation starters when entertaining. The trick is to curate, not crowd. Storage solutions like slimline consoles or wall-mounted shelves provides a place for items while not taking up valuable floor space.
Final Thought
Small spaces are never a limitation, they’re just a different kind of design opportunity. With the right choices, they can feel layered, elegant, and full of personality.
Need help reimagining a small space you’re struggling with? Reach out here — I’d love to help you make it feel more like home.
